A 16-foot English stone gateway and tunnel debuted last weekend at the Dickens Christmas Festival, welcoming guests at Simi Covenant Church in Simi Valley into the Victorian era.

Mark Almlie, church senior pastor, said he hoped the fair Saturday and Sunday was a unique Christmas experience.

“A lot of people thought we were crazy at first,” Almlie said. “They said, ‘I never heard of a Dickens festival before.’ But after they went to it, they said, ‘Are we doing it again?’ ”

Teri Forlizzi, who helped organize the event, said organizers hoped to make the festival better than it was last year, its first. They doubled the number of vendors, added a 10-foot-tall Scotsman on stilts and expanded the re-enactments of “A Christmas Story.”

“We also added a complete Victorian teahouse,” Forlizzi said.

Lynn Hubbard, dressed as a Victorian gentleman in a vest, an ascot, an overcoat and a top hat, said he was part of the church construction team that began building the gateway about three months ago.

“My job today is to provide more ambience,” Hubbard said. “This is my second year wearing this costume. I love wearing the ascot.”

Jonny Papa is not a church member but came to act in the Victorian Nativity play. He goes to Rocky Peak Church.

“But it’s good to get the message of the Gospel out. What can be better?” Papa said.

Miriam Kozlovskis, of Port Hueneme, won best adult costume for a costume she said she bought online. But she made the bonnet by covering a straw hat in the same material, she said.

“My husband and I love everything Dickens,” Kozlovskis said.

New this year was a larger children’s area, the Oliver Twist Play Yard, that had a bounce house and a train.

Admission was $5 with a donation of an unwrapped toy to the Action Network Christmas Program. The money raised goes back into paying for the event, except for funds raised from the Great Expectations Eatery, the food court, which goes toward students’ summer camp.

Forlizzi said next year the church may offer a two-day pass so families can attend both days.

Almlie said: “Everyone loves Christmas, everyone loves Dickens, and everyone loves festivals. Those are three wonderful things, and when you put them all together, you get magic.”